# NTSB ATL84LA278: Head Balloons AX7-77, N2484S, Austell, GA, September 1, 1984

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: September 1, 1984, 19:50 local (23:50 UTC)
- Place: Austell, GA
- Location: 33.8198° N, 84.6438° W: Placed by OpenAirDocs: center of Austell, GA, within about 6 miles (OpenAirDocs)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=33.8198&lon=-84.6438&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Minor injuries
- Injuries: 3 minor
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 6537
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ATL84LA278
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/6537/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ATL84LA278

## Sequence of events

In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf).

- In flight collision with object, landing
  - clearance - misjudged, pilot in command
  - in-flight planning/decision - delayed, pilot in command (cause)
  - emergency procedure - delayed, pilot in command (cause)
  - control interference - attempted, passenger (cause)
  - throttle/power control - improper use of, passenger

## Analysis

WHILE FLYING AT A LOW ALT LOOKING FOR A SUITABLE LANDING AREA THE PLT NOTICED POWER LINES AT A HIGHER ALT. PLT INITIALLYAPPLIED HEAT TO THE ENVELOPE TO TRY AND CLIMB ABOVE THE WIRES, BUT DID NOT IMMEDIATELY REALIZE THE HEIGHT OF THE WIRES. PLT THEN ADVISED PAX SHE WOULD HAVE TO 'DUMP IT' AND BEGAN TO PULL THE CORD TO OPEN THE ENVELOPE DEFLATION VALVE IN ORDER TO LAND SHORT OF THE WIRES. ONE OF THE PAX, WITHOUT OBTAINING PERMISSION FROM THE PLT, REPORTEDLY USED THE BURNER TO ADD HEAT TO THE ENVELOPE AT ABOUT THE SAME TIME. THE BASKET UPRIGHTS AND THE CABLES IMMEDIATELY ABOVE THE BASKET CONTACTED THE WIRES AT AN ALT OF APRX 40 FT AGL.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N2484S](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N2484S-2013-06-11), registration cancelled 2013-06-11, S/N 103, built 1983 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: Head Balloons, Inc. AX7-77
- Registry model: [Head Balloons AX7-77](https://openairdocs.org/model/head-balloons-ax7-77) (registry code 4280100) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [NONE](https://openairdocs.org/engine/none) (registry code 00000, none) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Balloon
- Serial number: 103
- Airframe hours: 74
- Engines: unknown
- Damage: Destroyed
- Fire: Both
- Flight: Part 91
- Registered owner: Judith I. Fraenckel
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, July 5, 1984, 3 hours before
- Departed: ATLANTA, GA

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 36; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 2, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; flight hours: 340 total, 17 in this make and model, 275 as pilot in command, 13 in the last 90 days, 2 in the last 30 days, 2 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 105° at 3 knots
- Visibility: 5 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 82 °F

## FAA reports on this event (1)

The FAA's own accident and incident reports, matched to the aircraft by N-number and date (OpenAirDocs).

- [Accident 19840901071489A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19840901071489A), Sep 1, 1984: Thundr AX777, Austell, GA, Destroyed. Tried to rise above wires on aborted landing then pulled deflation panel. Passenger used burner. Balloon hit wire.

From the NTSB's public API. Aircraft are matched to registry aircraft by N-number and event date, checked against the reported serial number, make and model; the registry's history has gaps, so older matches can be wrong. Compare the reported make and model.

---
OpenAirDocs.org is an independent research project of [Contrail Labs](https://contraillabs.com/). It is not affiliated with the FAA or the NTSB. Source documents are U.S. government works in the public domain.